Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, signs a new law against cultism with stricter penalties. The law imposes a death sentence for killings tied to cult activities, 21 years imprisonment for sponsors, and 10 years for harboring cultists, alongside property demolition. The aim is to restore peace in Edo.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill, 2025, into law, replacing the 2018 Secret Cult Prohibition Law. The new law, which took effect on January 24, 2025, introduces harsher penalties for those involved in cult-related activities in the state.
Under the new legislation, individuals who engage in cult-related killings face the death penalty. Those who financially or materially support cult groups are liable to 21 years of imprisonment. In addition, anyone found harboring cult members or permitting the use of their property for cult activities will face a 10-year prison sentence, along with the demolition of their property.
The law also includes severe penalties for cultists involved in physical assaults, injury, or property destruction, with offenders facing 21 years in prison. Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the aim of the law is not to intimidate law-abiding citizens but to deter criminal activities, improve security, and restore peace to the state.
The government intends for the demolition of properties tied to cult activities to serve as a warning that crime will not be tolerated. By signing this law, Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to securing a safer future for Edo State, ensuring that families and businesses can thrive free from the threat of criminal organizations.
